MMA News
Tyron Woodley sends violent warning to Jake Paul: "You’re going to see Jake Paul get hurt in a way you’d never imagine"
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Tyron Woodley is eager to spoil all Jake Paul’s plans on Sunday in Cleveland. Paul, the former Disney and YouTube star turned boxer, is 3-0 as a pro but will get his toughest test on Sunday when he faces Woodley. It’s an intriguing matchup but for “The Chosen One” he has some violent plans for Paul.
Jacare Souza reveals the main "mistake" he made during his UFC career
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Jacare Souza admits he made one big mistake during his UFC run. After Souza suffered a submission loss to Andre Muniz at UFC 262, the Brazilian was released from the promotion. He ended his UFC tenure on a four-fight losing skid and during that run, he dropped a split decision to Jan Blachowicz. Despite his losing streak, Souza was also a top middleweight contender and the former Strikeforce middleweight champion admits he should’ve waited for a title shot.
Jake Paul convinced he is in Dana White's head over fighter pay remarks
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is convinced that he is in UFC president Dana White’s head over the fighter pay remarks he recently made. Paul has been at the forefront of the fighter pay movement for UFC fighters. The boxing star wants White to pay his fighters more, and with Paul being so vocal about the low fighter pay in the UFC, it’s led to a number of MMA fighters speaking out recently about their pay, including middleweight contender Jared Cannonier, and women’s strawweight Cheyanne Buys. However, despite the increased talk about fighter pay, there haven’t been any changes to the way UFC fighters are paid in regards to giving them a bump in pay.
Kris Moutinho set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Following his war with Sean O’Malley at UFC 264, UFC bantamweight Kris Moutinho is set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips. Moutinho vs. Phillips will take place on a UFC Fight Night card that is set for October 23. Nolan King of MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the news on Mountinho’s next fight.
Kevin Lee expects to beat Daniel Rodriguez "from bell-to-bell" at UFC Vegas 35: "I'm here to show I'm the best in the world"
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Kevin Lee just wanted to fight at UFC Vegas 35 on August 28 and he got his wish. Lee was supposed to face Sean Brady but the ranked welterweight was forced out of the fight with a foot injury. After that, “The Motown Phenom” began calling out several welterweights but it was Daniel Rodriguez who accepted the fight.
Demian Maia still hopeful to get one last fight in the UFC
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Despite being removed from the rankings after his contract with the UFC recently expired, Demian Maia wants one more fight in the Octagon. Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 in June, and after the fight, UFC president Dana White hinted it would likely be the 43-year-old Brazilian’s last fight in the UFC. However, Maia said that he was hoping the UFC would give him one more fight, and he called upon fellow legends such as Nate Diaz for his final farewell fight. Ultimately, it appears as though the UFC has made the decision to sever ties with Maia following his recent contract expiration. However, Maia tells MMAFighting.com he is still hopeful that he will get one last fight in the Octagon, and ideally that fight would take place in Brazil.
Kevin Lee believes he is already a top-five fighter in the UFC welterweight division
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee believes that he is already a top-five fighter in the UFC welterweight division. Lee makes his return to the Octagon after nearly 18 months away from the cage when he fights Daniel Rodriguez this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 35. After losing by submission to current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in his last fight, Lee decided that he will be moving back up to 170lbs. He fought in the welterweight division back in 2019 when he lost via submission to Rafael dos Anjos. Despite not having a win in the division, however, Lee believes that he is already one of the top-five fighters in the UFC welterweight division.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 48 with Kevin Lee, Anthony Taylor, Sam Alvey, Bryan Battle, and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
The 48th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 35 and Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley. We’re first joined by the 11th-ranked lightweight and now welterweight contender, Kevin Lee (3:05). Next, former Bellator fighter and now professional boxer, Anthony Taylor (17:20) joins the program. UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (41:20) comes on. Then, TUF 29 finalist Bryan Battle (54:35) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight, Andre Petroski (1:12:41).
Jared Cannonier explains the "I'm broke" comments following win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 34
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier explained the “I’m broke” comments he made following his win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 34. Cannonier defeated Gastelum via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Vegas 34, but what everyone is talking about a few days later isn’t his performance, but rather his comments that he made after the fight. Taking the mic, Cannonier said that he was broke and that he needed to get paid more. It was another example of a UFC fighter saying they are short on funds, with Cheyanne Buys recently saying the same thing after her win.
Brian Kelleher wants Sean O'Malley next: "He says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now"
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher wants Sean O’Malley next, saying “he says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now.” Kelleher defeated Domingo Pilarte via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 34 this past weekend. Since joining the UFC back in 2017, Kelleher is 7-5 overall in the Octagon. While he has yet to break through and become a top-15 ranked fighter, he has proven himself to be quite the gatekeeper into the rankings, and with O’Malley recently suggesting he has no interest in fighting ranked opponents for the same pay, Kelleher called him out.
Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera are no longer under contract with the UFC
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021
Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera are reportedly no longer under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Both men have had solid stints in the promotion with Rivera being a former bantamweight contender and Maia challenging for both the middleweight and welterweight titles, often being recognized as one of the most elite submission artists of his generation.
Artem Lobov set to compete in charity wheelchair boxing match opposite Paddy Holohan
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021
Artem Lobov is set to take on Paddy Holohan in a charity wheelchair boxing match in Dublin, Ireland. It’s safe to say that “The Russian Hammer” is easily one of the most popular cult hero fighters in recent memory. From his never say die attitude to how he carries himself, it was always exciting when Lobov got into the cage or ring – regardless of whether it was for mixed martial arts or boxing.
Paddy Pimblett suggests Khabib Nurmagomedov is 'becoming the Karen of the MMA scene'
Andrew Whitelaw - August 23, 2021
Paddy Pimblett has been making plenty of headlines ahead of his UFC debut. The former Cage Warriors champion has never been shy about speaking his mind, and has now fired shots at Khabib Nurmagomedov following ‘the Eagle’s’ comments about his appearance on Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast. With Nurmagomedov now retired, the chances of Pimblett getting to fight him one day seem remote. They are however, in the same division. With that in mind, perhaps the Liverpool-native is seeking to plant the seed in case there is a chance of one day facing the Dagestani icon.
Volkan Oezdemir returns after year-long layoff to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267
Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021
Volkan Oezdemir is ready to make up for some lost time. On Monday, MMA DNA’s Marcel Dorff revealed that a bout between top light heavyweight contenders in the No. 8 ranked Oezdemir and No. 7 Magomed Ankalaev is on. The two are set to compete in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 30 at UFC 267.
Alistair Overeem weighs in on the pro wrestling returns of Brock Lesnar and CM Punk: 'It’s fake. It’s lame. It’s stupid. It’s gay'
Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021
Alistair Overeem is not a fan of professional wrestling. On Monday, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion and UFC title challenger shared his thoughts on the pro wrestling returns of crossover stars Phil “CM Punk” Brooks and past opponent, Brock Lesnar.
Dan Hooker explains why he isn't fighting "dumbass" Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 266
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker explained why he isn’t fighting “dumbass” Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 266 despite rumblings of a fight. Hooker takes on Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, which is set for September 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. While he is a good fighter in his own right, Haqparast is an unranked fighter at 155lbs, while Tsarukyan is at least ranked No. 15. Hooker is ranked No. 8 in the UFC, so it is understandable why he wanted to fight someone who was ranked, but he ended up accepting the fight with Haqparast because he wants to scrap.
Deiveson Figueiredo still wants Brandon Moreno next, tells Alexandre Pantoja to wait for his rematch
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo still wants Brandon Moreno next, telling Alexandre Pantoja to wait for his rematch. Pantoja submitted Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 34 in a fight that UFC president Dana White himself called a title eliminator. Because Pantoja already has two previous wins over Moreno, on TUF and in the Octagon, he appears to be next in line for the champ Moreno, and the two flyweights actually verbally agreed to the fight following Pantoja’s win over Royval. However, Figueiredo is still hot on the trail and wants the Moreno fight first.
Pedro Munhoz open to move down to UFC flyweight division
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
Longtime UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz admitted that he is open to a move down to the flyweight division following his latest loss. Munhoz lost a unanimous decision to former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in the co-main event of UFC 265 last month. That fight took place at 135lbs, the weight class that Munhoz has fought at exclusively in his UFC career, but following his lastest defeat to Aldo, the Brazilian says that he is now considering moving down to the UFC flyweight division.